Printing systems and printing apparatus

Abstract

This invention provides a printing system and printing apparatus that enable business owners, such as companies, to pay those working from home a fee corresponding to the amount of printing ink discarded during business printing. The printing system includes a company server (11) and a printing apparatus (30). The printing apparatus (30) is used for both business and personal printing. The printing apparatus (30) includes a printing section and a waste ink recovery section. The printing section uses printing ink to print on a medium, and the waste ink recovery section recovers the printing ink consumed by the printing section that was not used for printing on the medium and was discarded as waste ink. The printing system includes a judgment section and a estimation section. The judgment section determines whether the discarded printing ink is from business printing or personal printing. The estimation section estimates the amount of printing ink discarded as business printing, as determined by the judgment section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a printing system and printing apparatus, including a printing apparatus and a server for printing on a medium. Background Technology

[0002] For example, as described in Patent Document 1, there are known charging devices that charge based on the actual amount of printing ink or other printing agents consumed in printing equipment such as printers. Furthermore, in recent years, there has been a growing trend of employees working from home, connecting remotely to company servers to handle business. In such cases, where business is handled from a second location, such as home, far from the company, it is sometimes necessary to perform business printing at this second location. In such situations, those working from home use their personal printing equipment to perform business-related printing required for business purposes.

[0003] It is appropriate for the company to bear the cost of printing for business purposes. For example, taking into account the charging device described in Patent Document 1, if a home office worker sets up a business-specific printing device in their own home, the company should bear the cost of the goods collected.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-36582

[0005] However, it is mandatory to set up dedicated business printing equipment in the home of a work-from-home employee. In cases where a personal printing unit exists, multiple printing units, including both dedicated business and personal units, must be installed in the home. Furthermore, from the company's perspective, sometimes the company also bears the costs of personal printing when the dedicated business printing equipment is used for personal purposes. Therefore, it is desirable to use personal printing equipment for business purposes, with the company covering the costs of business printing.

[0006] However, in situations such as working from home, individuals need to purchase their own printing supplies, including printing cartridges and bottles to supply printing ink to their personal printing equipment. For example, when the company pays for printing, it usually pays a fixed amount or a fee corresponding to the number of sheets printed. However, some of the printing ink supplied to the printing equipment from these self-purchased sources is sometimes discarded without being used in printing. For example, ink consumed during maintenance may be discarded for other reasons besides maintenance, such as the printing method of the printing equipment. It is appropriate for the company to pay for this discarded ink separately from the cost of the printed materials. Therefore, it is desirable to determine the amount of printing ink discarded during business printing when individuals working from home use their personal printing equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0007] A printing system for solving the above problems includes a server and a printing apparatus. The server is located at a first location, and the printing apparatus is located at a second location and is used for both business and personal printing. The printing apparatus includes: a printing unit that prints on a medium using printing ink; and a waste ink recovery unit that recovers waste printing ink consumed by the printing unit that was not used for printing on the medium. The printing system includes: a determination unit that determines whether the waste printing ink was discarded during business or personal printing; and a estimation unit that estimates the amount of waste printing ink that the determination unit determined was discarded during business printing.

[0008] The printing apparatus that solves the above problems is used for both commercial and personal printing. It comprises: a printing unit that prints on a medium using printing ink supplied from a printing ink storage unit; a waste ink recovery unit that recovers waste printing ink consumed by the printing unit that was not used for printing on the medium; a determination unit that determines whether the waste printing ink was discarded during commercial or personal printing; and a estimation unit that estimates the amount of waste printing ink determined by the determination unit to have been discarded during commercial printing. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a printing system in one embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional diagram representing a printing apparatus.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view taken from the back side of the printing device.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the maintenance department and waste disposal department during cleaning.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the maintenance section and waste agent recovery section during rinsing.

[0014] Figure 6 It is a block diagram representing the electrical configuration of a printing system.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a diagram representing a management table.

[0016] Figure 8 This is an illustration of how the cost of printing ink consumption due to maintenance is shared.

[0017] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a first embodiment of determining whether a use is for private or business purposes.

[0018] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a second embodiment for determining whether a use is for private or business purposes.

[0019] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a third embodiment for determining whether a use is for private or business purposes.

[0020] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the fourth embodiment of determining whether a use is for private or business purposes.

[0021] Figure 13 It is a diagram illustrating the processing sequence of the printing system.

[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0023] 10… Printing system, 11… Company server as an example of a server, 12… Server control unit, 13… Attendance system, 14… Calculation unit, 15… Communication unit, 16… Storage unit, 20… Information terminal, 20A… First information terminal, 20B… Second information terminal, 21… Input unit, 22… Display unit, 23… Printing control unit, 24… Communication unit, 26… Communication unit, 30… Printing apparatus, 30A… Printing unit, 31… Main body, 32… Image reading unit, 33… Cover, 34… Input unit, 35… Display unit, 36… Paper feed box, 37… Printing unit, 38… Carriage, 39… Print head, 39A… Nozzle surface, 40… Conveying unit, 41… Discharge tray, 42… Printing agent storage unit, 43… Storage unit, 43A …Cover, 45…Maintenance, 46…Cover, 47…Waste Recycling, 48…Waste Printing Agent Collection, 49…Pump, 50…Control, 51…Pipeline, 52…Spring, 54…Mounting, 54A…Connection, 55…Inspection, 56A, 56B…Portable Information Terminal, 57…USB Memory, 60…Computer, 61…Printing Management, 62…Maintenance Control, 63…First Judgment, 64…Second Judgment, 65…Speculation, 66…Timestamp, 67…Storage, 68…Judgment, 100…Bottle, NW…Network, M…Media, N…Nozzle, PD…Printing Data, CT…Management Table, PR…Program, WP…Business Period, OW…Non-Business Period, X…Width Direction, Y…Conveying Direction. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the printing system will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Composition of printing system 10

[0026] Figure 1 The printing system 10 shown includes a company server 11, exemplified by a server located at a first location, and a printing device 30 located at a second location for both business and personal printing purposes. The printing device 30 is, for example, a printing device owned by a person working from home. When a person working from home needs to perform business printing during their work-from-home period, the company server 11 manages the implementation status of their business printing activities so that the company can pay for the business printing. Therefore, the printing system 10 includes a company server 11 located at a first location such as a company, and a personal printing device 30 located at a second location, such as the home of an employee working from home.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, the printing system 10 is equipped with the company's attendance system 13 (see reference). Figure 6 The printing system 10 includes a company server 11 and one or more printing devices 30. Furthermore, the printing system 10 may also include an information terminal 20 communicatively connected to the printing devices 30. The company server 11 may be located, for example, in a first location such as a company office, or in a first location outside the company but in the office of a client company. Additionally, the printing devices 30 and information terminal 20 are located in a second location, such as the home of an employee working from home or a satellite office. In this example, for instance, the first location is the company, and the second location is the home of the employee who owns the printing devices 30.

[0028] The printing apparatus 30 is an inkjet printer that sprays ink, such as a liquid, onto a medium such as paper for printing. Since the printing apparatus 30 is a device that sprays liquids such as ink onto a medium such as paper, it can also be called a liquid ejection device. The printing apparatus 30 can also be a printing apparatus that performs printing using methods other than inkjet printing.

[0029] In printing system 10, company server 11 collects information from printing apparatus 30 directly or via information terminal 20 for paying clients working from home for business printing services performed by printing apparatus 30. In this embodiment, company server 11 collects information related to the amount of waste printing ink, which is necessary to calculate the cost of printing ink that is discarded during business printing services and not used in printed materials. In this example of inkjet printing apparatus 30, the discarded printing ink is ink (waste ink), which is an example of printing ink discarded primarily through maintenance. Printing system 10 obtains the amount of waste printing ink associated with business printing in order to determine the cost of printing ink discarded in business-related contexts during business printing services in printing apparatus 30.

[0030] For example, in commercial printing, the cost is the unit price per sheet multiplied by the number of sheets printed. However, when payments are managed based on the number of sheets printed, the cost of printing ink consumed during maintenance is generally not borne by the company. This is because it is difficult to determine whether maintenance is business-related maintenance required for commercial printing. Furthermore, the amount of printing ink consumed during maintenance (waste ink) is far less than the amount consumed during printing. Therefore, the cost of waste ink consumed during maintenance is often overlooked. However, in home printers such as printing equipment 30, the cost of ink and other printing inks, including waste ink, is borne by the person working from home. Additionally, the amount of waste ink from maintenance also depends on the business content or printing frequency, environmental factors such as temperature or humidity at the secondary location, etc. If the frequency of maintenance increases and the amount of waste ink increases, the cost of this waste ink becomes a significant proportion of the printing costs.

[0031] In this embodiment, the printing system 10, in addition to the printing costs incurred by the printing apparatus 30 for business-related printing, also pays the home office worker for the amount of printing ink consumed (wasted) during business-related maintenance, which is presumed to be necessary for business-related printing. Therefore, the printing system 10 determines the amount of printing ink consumed (wasted) during business-related maintenance, which is necessary to calculate the cost of the printing ink consumed (wasted) during business-related maintenance.

[0032] The printing system 10 includes a company server 11 and a printing apparatus 30. The printing system 10 may also include an information terminal 20 located between the printing apparatus 30 and the company server 11. The information terminal 20 functions as a host device, for example, when instructing the printing apparatus 30 to perform printing. The information terminal 20 may be, for example, a personal computer. The information terminal 20 and the printing apparatus 30 can be connected via wired or wireless communication. The information terminal 20 and the company server 11 can be connected via a network (NW).

[0033] The printing device 30 is a home printer owned by an employee or other person who works from home. Therefore, the printing device 30 is installed in a second location, such as the employee's home, where they work from home. Furthermore, the second location for installing the printing device 30 is not limited to the employee's home; it can also be a satellite office where the employee works from home. Additionally, the information terminal 20 is installed in a second location, such as the employee's home or satellite office (hereinafter also referred to as "home, etc."). The information terminal 20 is used when the employee or other person working from home instructs the printing device 30 to print. Therefore, the information terminal 20, like the printing device 30, is installed in the employee's home or carried by the employee or other person working from home. Furthermore, as long as the information terminal 20 can instruct the printing device 30 to print, it can also be located in a second location different from the employee's home where the printing device 30 is installed.

[0034] Configuration of printing apparatus 30

[0035] Next, refer to Figure 2 The detailed configuration of the printing apparatus 30 will be described. Figure 2 In the middle, the printing device 30 is placed on a horizontal surface.

[0036] like Figure 2 As shown, the printing apparatus 30 includes a printing unit 37 and a waste ink recovery unit 47. The printing unit 37 uses ink or other printing agents to print on a medium M. The waste ink recovery unit 47 recovers the printing agents consumed by the printing unit 37 that were not used for printing on the medium and were discarded as waste ink. The waste ink recovery unit 47 has a replaceable waste ink storage unit 48 for storing the recovered waste ink.

[0037] The printing apparatus 30 of this embodiment includes a maintenance unit 45 for maintaining the printing unit 37. The amount of waste printing ink is the amount of printing ink wasted from the printing unit 37 during maintenance.

[0038] Of the printing ink consumed by the printing unit 37, the amount consumed by the maintenance unit 45, which maintains the printing unit 37, is discarded because it is not used for printing on the medium M. For example, during commercial printing, the amount of printing ink consumed during maintenance that accompanies commercial printing is the amount of printing ink that would not be consumed if commercial printing were not performed. The waste ink recovery unit 47 is equipped with a waste ink collection unit 48 that can be detachably assembled to collect the printing ink consumed during maintenance as waste ink. Such a printing apparatus 30 with maintenance function is configured in detail as follows.

[0039] like Figure 2As shown, the printing apparatus 30 has a generally four-cornered box-shaped main body 31. An image reading unit 32 is provided on the upper side of the main body 31. That is, the printing apparatus 30 can also be a multifunction printer equipped with the image reading unit 32. As a multifunction printer, the printing apparatus 30 has a scanning function for reading originals, a copying function for copying printed originals, and a printing function for printing text or images on a medium M. In the printing apparatus 30, printing fluid is used to print on the medium M during both copying and printing. Therefore, printing fluid is consumed in the printing apparatus 30 during both copying and printing. In this example, the printing apparatus 30 is, for example, an inkjet printer, which prints on the medium M by ejecting ink, an example of printing fluid. Furthermore, the printing apparatus 30 can also have an automatic document feeder (automatic paper feeder) configured to feed originals one sheet at a time using a drive source such as a motor. In this case, the image reading unit 32 can also have a supply-type reading function for reading originals fed by the automatic document feeder and a flatbed reading function for reading originals placed on a document table.

[0040] The printing apparatus 30 has an openable and closable cover 33 on the upper side of the main body 31. The image reading unit 32 opens and closes together with the cover 33. Figure 2 The device can be opened and closed between the closed position and the open position that exposes the interior of the main body 31. For example, a user can replenish printing ink relative to the printing device 30 by opening the cover 33.

[0041] The printing apparatus 30 includes an input unit 34 and a display unit 35. The input unit 34 is configured to be operable by a user. The display unit 35 displays various images. The display unit 35 may, for example, display a menu screen or various message information. The display unit 35 may also be configured as a touch panel. In this case, the input unit 34, which allows input through user operation, may also be configured with the operation functions of a touch panel. Alternatively, the input unit 34 may also be configured as a mechanical switch.

[0042] The printing apparatus 30 includes a paper feed tray 36. The paper feed tray 36 is located at the lower part of the main body 31. The paper feed tray 36 is installed in the main body 31 in a pluggable manner. The paper feed tray 36 is configured to hold media M such as multiple sheets of paper. The printing apparatus 30 includes a conveying unit 40, which supplies media M from the paper feed tray 36 to the conveying unit 40, and the conveying unit 40 conveys the supplied media M along a predetermined conveying path (see reference). Figure 6 ).

[0043] Printing is performed on the medium M supplied from the paper tray 36.

[0044] The printing apparatus 30 includes a printing unit 37. The printing unit 37 uses ink or other printing agents to print on a medium M. The printing unit 37 includes a carriage 38 and a print head 39. The carriage 38 is movably disposed within the main body 31, and the print head 39 is disposed at the lower part of the carriage 38. The print head 39 is, for example, a liquid ejector head that ejects a liquid such as ink, which is an example of a printing agent. As the carriage 38 reciprocates along the width direction X, which intersects the transport direction Y of the medium M, the print head 39 ejects ink, which is an example of a printing agent, toward the medium M, thereby printing text or images on the medium M.

[0045] The printing apparatus 30 includes a discharge port 31A for discharging the printed medium M. The printing apparatus 30 also includes a discharge tray 41 for holding the medium M discharged from the discharge port 31A. The discharge tray 41 may also be slidably disposed on the front surface of the main body 31.

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, the carriage 38 is positioned at its original position HP, which is one end of the travel path, when not printing. The maintenance unit 45 has a cover 46 positioned opposite the print head 39 when the carriage 38 is in its original position HP.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, the printing apparatus 30 includes a waste ink collection section 48, which collects waste ink and other waste inks that are discarded during maintenance by the maintenance section 45.

[0048] Additionally, the printing apparatus 30 includes a printing ink storage section 42. The printing ink storage section 42 has multiple storage sections 43 for storing printing ink. In this example, the printing ink storage section 42 has the same number of storage sections 43 as the number of colors that the printing unit 37 can print on the medium M. Each of the multiple storage sections 43 contains liquids such as inks of various colors. The main body 31 has multiple windows on the front surface of the printing ink storage section 42, allowing the user to visually confirm the amount of liquid in the storage sections 43.

[0049] like Figure 3 As shown, with the cap 33 open, the ink reservoir 42 disposed within the main body 31 is exposed. Each reservoir 43 of the ink reservoir 42 has a cap 43A that can be opened and closed. When the amount of liquid in the reservoir 43 decreases, the user opens the cap 43A and inserts the supply section (not shown) of the bottle 100 into the supply port (not shown) of the reservoir 43, thereby replenishing the designated reservoir 43 with liquid ink or other ink from the bottle 100.

[0050] like Figure 4As shown, when the ink or other printing ink supplied to the print head 39 in the printing apparatus 30 is depleted, the user supplies printing ink to the printing apparatus 30. In the case where the liquid supply source is a liquid container, the ink or other liquid, as an example of printing ink, is replenished via bottle 100. Alternatively, if the printing apparatus 30 is configured with a liquid supply source such as an ink cartridge, the user replaces the liquid cartridge installed in the printing apparatus 30. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare, for example, a new bottle 100 or liquid cartridge before the liquid in the printing apparatus 30 is used up (depleted). In other words, the user's employee needs to prepare bottles 100 or liquid cartridges to supply printing ink to their own printing apparatus 30.

[0051] Figure 3 The printing unit 37 shown can also replace the serial recording method in which the print head 39 and the carriage 38 move back and forth along the width direction X to print on the medium M, and instead adopt a line recording method in which the print head 39 is composed of a line head.

[0052] Regarding the composition and maintenance content of Maintenance Department 45 and Waste Recycling Department 47

[0053] Next, refer to Figure 4 , Figure 5 The structure and maintenance contents of the maintenance unit 45 and the waste agent recovery unit 47 are explained.

[0054] like Figure 4 As shown, a maintenance unit 45 is disposed below the printing unit 37 when it is in its original position HP. The maintenance unit 45 performs maintenance on the print head 39 of the printing unit 37.

[0055] The printhead 39 has a nozzle surface 39A, configured such that a nozzle N capable of ejecting printing ink or other printing agents opens at the nozzle surface 39A. The maintenance part 45 is configured to move between a covered position where the cover 46 contacts the nozzle surface 39A at the opening of the nozzle N of the printhead 39, and a retracted position where the cover 46 moves away from the nozzle surface 39A. When the printhead 39 is in its original position HP, the cover 46 rises to a height position contacting the nozzle surface 39A, thereby covering the printhead 39. This prevents the printing agent, such as ink, from thickening or drying within the nozzle N of the printhead 39.

[0056] As part of maintenance, the maintenance unit 45 performs a forced cleaning process to drain liquid from the nozzle N of the printhead 39. The maintenance unit 45 also performs a flushing process to periodically move the printhead 39 back to its original position HP during printing and to eject (dry-jet) ink and other printing media from the nozzle N. Further details regarding the maintenance performed by the maintenance unit 45 will be described later.

[0057] The maintenance unit 45 includes a cover 46 that seals the printhead 39 when the carriage 38 is in its original position HP. By sealing the printhead 39 with the cover 46, the thickening or drying of printing ink or other printing agents within the nozzles N of the printhead 39 can be prevented. If the ink within the nozzles N thickens, or if air bubbles are present in the ink within the nozzles N, or if foreign matter such as paper dust adheres to the nozzles N, poor ink ejection may occur due to clogging of the nozzles N, resulting in the inability to eject liquid normally from the nozzles N. In addition, the maintenance unit 45 may also include a wiper (not shown) for wiping the nozzle surface 39A of the printhead 39.

[0058] The maintenance unit 45 cleans the nozzle N of the printhead 39 to eliminate or prevent such ejection defects. During cleaning, the maintenance unit 45 forcibly discharges liquid from the printhead 39 to the cover 46. The maintenance unit 45 is equipped with a pump 49 that is connected to the cover 46 via a pipe 51 such as a waste liquid pipe. In the sealed state where the cover 46 is in contact with the nozzle surface 39A of the printhead 39, a closed space communicating with the nozzle N is formed by the nozzle surface 39A and the cover 46.

[0059] Maintenance unit 45 drives pump 49 in this sealed state. When pump 49 is driven, negative pressure is introduced into the closed space between nozzle surface 39A of printhead 39 and cover 46, thereby forcibly discharging liquid from nozzle N. By forcibly discharging liquid containing thickened liquid, air bubbles, paper dust, and other foreign matter such as ink from nozzle N, poor spraying from nozzle N can be prevented or eliminated. In addition, cover 46 during cleaning is controlled by spring 52 (see reference). Figure 4 The force of the action of the nozzle surface 39A of the print head 39 keeps it in a sealed state in contact with the nozzle surface 39A of the print head 39.

[0060] exist Figure 4 In the example shown, pump 49 is a suction pump connected to the housing 46, but it can also be a pressure pump that pressurizes the liquid in the flow channel connected to the nozzle N of the printhead 39 from the upstream side. When pump 49 is a pressure pump, when pump 49 is driven, the liquid in the flow channel connected to the nozzle N is pressurized from the upstream side, thereby forcibly discharging the liquid from the nozzle N. At this time, the housing 46 can also be slightly separated from the nozzle surface 39A.

[0061] In addition, such as Figure 5 As shown, the printing unit 37 moves periodically or irregularly to its original position HP during printing to perform a dry spray (also known as "rinsing") that ejects droplets from all nozzles N toward the housing 46. This rinsing prevents poor ejection during printing. The liquid (waste printing ink) discharged from the nozzles N into the housing 46 through cleaning and dry spraying is recovered by the waste ink recovery unit 47 and stored in the waste ink collection unit 48. The waste ink recovery unit 47 includes a pump 49 and a portion of a pipeline 51. Driven by the pump 49, waste ink (e.g., waste ink) is recovered from the housing 46 through the pipeline 51.

[0062] The waste agent recovery unit 47 includes a mounting part 54, and a waste agent storage part 48 is detachably mounted on the mounting part 54. The mounting part 54 has a needle-shaped connecting part 54A protruding from the mounting surface. The waste agent storage part 48 mounted on the mounting part 54 is connected to the connecting part 54A. Waste agent recovered by the waste agent recovery unit 47 is stored in the waste agent storage part 48 via the connecting part 54A. When the control unit 50 detects that the waste agent storage part 48 is full of waste agent, it causes the display unit 35 to display information indicating this. When the user knows from the information displayed on the display unit 35 that it is time to replace the waste agent storage part 48, the user removes the waste agent storage part 48 from the mounting part 54 in the printing apparatus 30 and installs a new empty waste agent storage part 48 on the mounting part 54.

[0063] Electrical configuration of printing system 10

[0064] Next, refer to Figure 6 The electrical configuration of the printing system 10 will be described.

[0065] The printing apparatus 30 includes a communication unit 26. Figure 6 In the example shown, the printing apparatus 30 is communicatively connected to the information terminal 20 via the communication unit 26. A home office worker instructs the printing apparatus 30 to print from the information terminal 20. At this time, print data PD is sent from the information terminal 20 to the printing apparatus 30. Print data PD contains print image data and printing condition information specified by the home office worker; the print image data includes text or images of the printable object. The control unit 50 within the printing apparatus 30 controls the printing unit 37 and the transport unit 40 based on the print data PD input from the information terminal 20, thereby printing text or images based on the print data PD onto the medium M. The information terminal 20 is a host device having a print control unit 23 that controls the printing apparatus 30. Furthermore, the information terminal 20 can be a personal computer, a portable information terminal (PDA), a tablet PC, a smartphone, etc.

[0066] like Figure 6 As shown, the information terminal 20 for home office workers includes an input unit 21, a display unit 22, a print control unit 23, and a communication unit 24. The print control unit 23 centrally controls the information terminal 20. Furthermore, the print control unit 23 is connected to a network (NW) via the communication unit 24. The print control unit 23 is, for example, composed of a print driver. The print driver is composed of software built into the information terminal 20 by installing a print driver program within the information terminal 20.

[0067] Electrical configuration of company server 11

[0068] in addition, Figure 6The company server 11 shown includes a server control unit 12, an attendance system 13, a computing unit 14, a communication unit 15, and a storage unit 16. The server control unit 12 provides unified control of the company server 11. Furthermore, the server control unit 12 is connected to the network NW via the communication unit 15. Figure 6 In the example shown, the company server 11 is communicatively connected to the information terminal 20 via network NW. The company server 11 can also communicate with the printing device 30 via the information terminal 20 owned by a person working from home.

[0069] The attendance system 13 manages the attendance of the owner of the information terminal 20, i.e., the person working from home, who is certified by the server control unit 12. The storage unit 16 stores the management table CT. The attendance system 13 determines whether the attendance is during or outside of business hours by referring to the management table CT.

[0070] The calculation unit 14 calculates the cost corresponding to the amount of waste printing ink as at least a portion of the costs involved in printing for business purposes. The calculation unit 14 calculates the printing cost corresponding to the number of copies of the business-purpose printed matter determined by the judgment unit 68 to be printed for business purposes. The cost including the cost corresponding to the amount of waste printing ink and the printing cost is included as the costs involved in printing for business purposes.

[0071] Whenever the company server 11 receives information related to business printing from the information terminal 20 or the printing device 30, or whenever a predetermined calculation period is reached, the calculation unit 14 calculates a payment amount. This payment amount includes the cost corresponding to the number of prints for business printing and the cost corresponding to the amount of waste printing ink caused by business-related maintenance. The cost may also include a portion of the cost of replacing a waste ink collection unit 48 filled with waste ink with a new empty waste ink collection unit 48, corresponding to the amount of waste ink involved in the business. In this case, the calculation unit 14 calculates a portion of the cost of replacing the waste ink collection unit 48 when it is full with a new one, corresponding to the amount of waste ink wasted during business printing.

[0072] Electrical configuration of printing apparatus 30

[0073] Next, the configuration of the printing apparatus 30 will be described in detail.

[0074] The printing apparatus 30 includes a control unit 50, an input unit 34, a display unit 35, an image reading unit 32, and a printing unit 30A. The printing unit 30A includes a printing unit 37, an inspection unit 55, a transport unit 40, and a maintenance unit 45. The maintenance unit 45 includes a pump 49.

[0075] The user selects one of printing, scanning, or copying by operating the input unit 34. Thus, the printing apparatus 30 is instructed to perform any of these three operations. When instructed to print or copy, the printing apparatus 30 uses printing ink on the medium M via the printing unit 37. Furthermore, the input unit 34 of the printing apparatus 30 can also be operated to instruct printing (including copying).

[0076] The image reading unit 32 is controlled by the control unit 50 to read the original document. Additionally, when the control unit 50 receives a printing instruction, it transports the medium M via the transport unit 40 and causes the print head 39 to eject ink as a printing agent, thereby printing text or images onto the medium M. For example, when receiving a copying instruction, the control unit 50 causes the image reading unit 32 to read the original document and causes the printing unit 37 to print the image of the read original document, thereby performing a copying process.

[0077] The maintenance unit 45 is controlled by the control unit 50. When it is time for maintenance, the control unit 50 performs maintenance on the printhead 39. During maintenance, there is rinsing (dry spraying) to eject droplets from all nozzles N of the printhead 39 to a predetermined position other than the medium M, and cleaning to forcibly discharge liquid from the nozzles N of the printhead 39. In addition, the pump 49 may be a suction pump connected to the cover 46, or a pressure pump to pressurize the liquid in the flow channel connected to the nozzles N of the printhead 39 from the upstream side.

[0078] The inspection unit 55 inspects the printing unit 37. Specifically, the inspection unit 55 inspects the nozzles N of the printing unit 37. For example, the inspection unit 55 checks for nozzle blockage, foreign matter such as paper dust adhering to the nozzles N, and the presence or absence of air bubbles in the ink within the nozzles N by ejecting ink from the nozzles N. The inspection unit 55 detects ejection defects such as nozzle blockage by analyzing the attenuation of vibrations generated in the drive element (e.g., a piezoelectric element) when ink is ejected from the nozzles N. Furthermore, the inspection method of the inspection unit 55 can be arbitrarily changed. For example, it could be an inspection method where a laser is irradiated along the ejection path of the ink ejected from the nozzles N, and the ejection of ink from the nozzles N is driven; if the ink droplets do not block the laser, it is considered an ejection defect. Alternatively, the inspection unit 55 can also perform the following inspection: analyze the image obtained by taking a dot pattern with a camera, and if there are missing dots, it is considered a poor ejection. The dot pattern is formed by ejecting ink from the nozzle N toward the inspection paper and having ink droplets fall onto the inspection paper.

[0079] When the control unit 50 receives a printing instruction, it causes the inspection unit 55 to inspect the printing unit 37 before printing begins. If the inspection result of the inspection unit 55 is likely to cause printing defects, it causes the maintenance unit 45 to automatically clean the printing unit 37.

[0080] Configuration of the control unit 50 of the printing apparatus 30

[0081] The control unit 50 includes a computer 60. The computer 60 is, for example, composed of a microprocessor. The computer 60 includes a print management unit 61, a maintenance control unit 62, a first determination unit 63, a second determination unit 64, a prediction unit 65, a timestamp unit 66, and a storage unit 67. The first determination unit 63 and the second determination unit 64 constitute a determination unit 68. The storage unit 67 stores a program PR. By executing the program PR, the computer 60, as a software-based functional component, includes the aforementioned print management unit 61, maintenance control unit 62, first determination unit 63, second determination unit 64, prediction unit 65, and timestamp unit 66. Furthermore, at least one of the print management unit 61, maintenance control unit 62, first determination unit 63, second determination unit 64, prediction unit 65, and timestamp unit 66 may also be constructed in hardware.

[0082] The control unit 50 is not limited to performing software processing for all processes it executes. For example, the control unit 50 may also have dedicated hardware circuitry (e.g., application-specific integrated circuit: ASIC) for hardware processing of at least a portion of the processes it executes. That is, the control unit 50 can be configured as a circuit including one or more processors that operate according to a computer program (software), one or more dedicated hardware circuits that execute at least a portion of various processes, or combinations thereof. The processor includes a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM, which stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. Memory, or computer-readable medium, includes all general-purpose or special-purpose computer-accessible media.

[0083] The printing management unit 61 is equipped with a counter. The counter counts the number of printed sheets. The printing management unit 61 uses the counter to count the number of printed sheets from the printing unit 30. The count value of the counter represents the number of printed sheets. In this example, the printing management unit 61 is equipped with at least a counter that counts the number of printed sheets for business purposes.

[0084] The printing management department 61 can also be equipped with multiple counters to count the number of prints depending on the type of printing. Types of printing include, for example, "Low" and "High." The printing condition information contained in the printing data (PD) can be used to determine which of the two ranges the prints belong to. For example, in ordinary printing, the amount of ink consumed per medium is low. On the other hand, in photo printing, the amount of ink consumed per medium is high. For example, ordinary printing can be classified as "Low," and photo printing as "High." If the unit price for "Low" is set to A yen / sheet and the unit price for "High" is set to B yen / sheet, then the two ranges are in a relationship of A < B. Furthermore, the number of ranges is not limited to two; it can also be three or four. Thus, the printing management department 61 can count the number of prints based on the unit price per sheet, or it can set a single unit price and count only the number of prints for business purposes. In addition, when the designated period arrives, the control unit 50 sends the information of the number of prints for business purposes, counted by the counter of the printing management unit 61, to the company server 11.

[0085] The maintenance control unit 62 performs maintenance-related controls. When it receives a manual cleaning instruction based on the user operating the input section 21 of the information terminal 20 or the input section 34 of the printing device 30, the maintenance control unit 62 performs manual cleaning. Manual cleaning is cleaning instructed by the user through operation of the input sections 21 and 34.

[0086] When a printing instruction is received from the information terminal 20 or through the operation of the input unit 34, the maintenance control unit 62 causes the inspection unit 55 to inspect the nozzles N of the printing unit 37 before printing begins. The inspection unit 55 inspects the nozzles N of the printing unit 37. Specifically, the inspection unit 55 checks for clogging of the nozzles N, adhesion of foreign matter such as paper dust on the nozzles N, and the presence or absence of air bubbles in the ink within the nozzles N. If the inspection result of the inspection unit 55 indicates that a nozzle may be unable to properly eject printing ink, the maintenance control unit 62 performs automatic cleaning. Automatic cleaning means that the control unit 50 determines whether the conditions for cleaning are met, and when the conditions are met, the maintenance control unit 62 automatically performs cleaning. Furthermore, the maintenance control unit 62 keeps track of time during printing and, each time a predetermined time elapses, moves the printing unit 37 to its original position HP to perform a flushing (dry spraying) of printing ink (droplets) ejected from all nozzles N toward the cover 46.

[0087] When a printing instruction is received, the control unit 50 causes the inspection unit 55 to inspect the printing unit 37 before printing begins. If the inspection result of the inspection unit 55 is likely to cause printing defects, the maintenance control unit 62 causes the maintenance unit 45 to automatically clean the printing unit 37.

[0088] The judgment unit 68 determines whether the waste material is discarded during business printing or personal printing. The judgment unit 68 determines whether the maintenance is business-related maintenance to suppress printing defects during business printing or personal-related maintenance to suppress printing defects during personal printing. If the indicated printing is business printing, the judgment unit 68 automatically determines that the cleaning is business-related cleaning accompanying business printing. If the attendance information managed by the attendance system 13 indicates that the printing was indicated during business hours, the judgment unit 68 determines that it is business printing. The judgment unit 68 includes a first judgment unit 63 and a second judgment unit 64.

[0089] The first determination unit 63 determines whether the instructed printing is for business or personal use. The first determination unit 63 determines whether the printing instructed by a person working from home via the information terminal 20, or via the operation of the input unit 34, is for business or personal use. As a method for notifying the printing apparatus 30 that it is for business use, in this embodiment, a method is used... Figures 9 to 12 At least one of the four embodiments shown. The first determination unit 63 determines, using a method corresponding to each of the four embodiments, whether the printing instructed to the printing device 30 is for business use or personal use. Furthermore, details regarding the four embodiments will be described later.

[0090] The second determination unit 64 determines maintenance that satisfies set conditions relative to business-purpose printing as business-related maintenance. When the printing unit 30 receives an instruction for business-purpose printing, the second determination unit 64 determines whether cleaning occurred shortly before the set time for that business-purpose printing. If manual cleaning occurred shortly before the set time, it is determined that the manual cleaning was performed to suppress ejection defects in business-purpose printing, i.e., business-related cleaning. Business-related cleaning is a type of business-related maintenance. Here, the set time is, for example, a specified time within the range of 1 to 10 minutes. This set time can also be changed for each company. Furthermore, the set time can also be a value outside the range of 1 to 10 minutes.

[0091] In addition, the second judgment unit 64 judges the automatic cleaning performed by the inspection unit 55 when the inspection result performed by the inspection unit 55 when the printing device 30 receives an instruction for business printing as potentially causing poor ejection of the printing unit 37 as business-related cleaning.

[0092] Furthermore, the second determination unit 64 determines that the rinsing performed during business printing is a maintenance process accompanying business printing, namely, business-related maintenance. In this embodiment, the company may also pay for the amount of printing ink consumed through rinsing, which is a form of business-related maintenance, in accordance with the amount discarded.

[0093] When the determination unit 68 determines that the printing agent (waste agent) is to be discarded during business printing, the estimation unit 65 estimates the amount of such discarded printing agent. The estimation unit 65 estimates the amount of discarded printing agent in business-related maintenance. The estimation unit 65 can also estimate the amount of discarded printing agent to be discarded during business printing based on the number of business printed materials printed by the printing apparatus 30.

[0094] The estimation unit 65 may also have the function of measuring the amount of printing ink consumed during maintenance. The estimation unit 65 has multiple color counters that count the amount of printing ink consumed from the printing unit 37 during maintenance according to the color of the printing ink. The estimation unit 65 stores a maintenance table showing the correspondence between the maintenance implementation details and the amount of printing ink consumed in a designated storage area of ​​the storage unit 67. During cleaning, for example, multiple cleanings of different intensities are set, including a first cleaning CL1 and a second cleaning CL2. For example, if there are n types of cleaning, the n types of cleaning are designated as first cleaning CL1, ..., nth cleaning CLn (where n is a natural number of 2 or more). In this case, the cleaning intensity increases in the order CL1 < ... < CLn. The cleaning implementation details are determined, for example, based on the types of cleanings CL1, ..., CLn with different cleaning intensities. The amount of printing ink consumed (waste) during cleaning also increases in the order CL1 < ... < CLn, according to the order of cleaning intensity from highest to lowest.

[0095] If multiple manual cleaning sessions are instructed within a specified time, the second manual cleaning session shall be performed with a higher intensity than the first. For example, the first cleaning session is CL1, and the second cleaning session is CL2.

[0096] In addition, if the inspection result of the inspection unit 55 on the nozzles is that the number of defective nozzles is less than the threshold, then the first cleaning CL1 is performed; if the number of defective nozzles is greater than the threshold, then the second cleaning CL2, which is more intense than the first cleaning CL1, is performed.

[0097] The maintenance table establishes a correspondence between n types of cleaning (CL1, ..., CLn) that define the cleaning implementation content and the corresponding printing agent consumption. Therefore, the estimation unit 65 can obtain the printing agent consumption corresponding to the cleaning implementation content. When cleaning is performed, the estimation unit 65 counts the printing agent consumption obtained from the implementation content and the maintenance table in the color counter. Additionally, the estimation unit 65 can also count the printing agent consumption during washing in business-related printing in the color counter. Thus, the estimation unit 65 uses the color counter to count the consumption by color in business-related maintenance. In this way, the estimation unit 65 estimates the cumulative consumption of printing agent consumed in business-related maintenance over a specified period. The specified period is from the last time information on the cumulative consumption of printing agent related to business-related maintenance was sent to the company server 11 until the next time that information is sent. Furthermore, the reason for using the color counter to count the waste amount of printing agent by color is to consider the fact that the cost of printing agent varies depending on the color. If this situation is not taken into account, the amount of waste printing ink can also be counted without considering the color.

[0098] The timestamp unit 66 manages the printing apparatus 30 by storing timestamp information, including the timestamps of events such as printing and maintenance, in the storage unit 67. The timestamp information establishes a correspondence between the content of the printing and maintenance events and their timestamps. In this embodiment, the second determination unit 64 uses the timestamp information when determining whether manual cleaning is a business-related maintenance task.

[0099] The control unit 50 manages the number of prints for business purposes and the amount of printing ink consumed (waste) in business-related maintenance. When a specified period arrives, the control unit 50 sends information related to the number of prints for business purposes and the amount of printing ink consumed in business-related maintenance directly or via the information terminal 20 to the company server 11. Furthermore, the specified period can be, for example, the end of printing, the power-on time, the power-off time, the end of cleaning, or a point in time after a certain period.

[0100] Management Table CT

[0101] Next, refer to Figure 7 Explain the CT management table. Figure 7 The management table CT shown is stored in the storage unit 16 of the company server 11. The management table CT is reference data that specifies the responsibility for maintenance costs and whether or not to retain printed data PD. The control unit 50 manages the switching of the responsibility for maintenance costs between office and home office workers and the switching of whether or not to retain copies of printed data PD by referring to the management table CT and depending on whether it is for business or personal use.

[0102] That is, such as Figure 7 As shown, the second determination unit 64 sets the party responsible for maintenance costs to the company during business hours and to the person working from home during non-business hours. Furthermore, when the printing device 30 is printing, the control unit 50 copies the print data PD to the company server 11 during business hours, but neither copies nor saves the print data PD during non-business hours.

[0103] The attendance system 13's judgment was used.

[0104] For example, such as Figure 8 As shown, the company server 11 determines whether the work session (WP) or the off-hours (OW) period is based on the attendance system 13. Furthermore, during maintenance, the cost of printing ink consumed during the switch between in-house and work-from-home maintenance is borne by the employee, depending on whether it is a WP or an OW period. Specifically, if maintenance is performed during an OW period, the cost is borne by the work-from-home employee; if maintenance is performed during a WP period, the cost is borne by the company. In this embodiment, the printing apparatus 30 is maintained by the company at the end of the work session. That is, any issues such as nozzle clogging during a WP period are resolved by maintaining the equipment at the end of the work session. Therefore, once the cause of nozzle clogging is eliminated through maintenance, the equipment is handed over to the user who bears the printing ink cost during an OW period.

[0105] Switching between private and commercial use of printing apparatus 30

[0106] The following describes a configuration example for switching between private and commercial use of the printing apparatus 30. This configuration example includes four embodiments, from the first to the fourth. The four embodiments will be described sequentially below. Using at least one of these four configuration examples, the first determination unit 63 determines whether the printing performed by the printing apparatus 30 is for commercial use (commercial use) or private use (private use).

[0107] First Embodiment

[0108] exist Figure 9 In the first embodiment shown, the information terminal 20 instructs the printing apparatus 30 to print. As a printing driver that outputs print data PD to the printing apparatus 30, the information terminal 20 has a first printing driver as a business-use driver and a second printing driver as a general-purpose driver. That is, the information terminal 20 has both a first printing driver and a second printing driver installed as printing drivers.

[0109] The judgment unit 68 of the printing apparatus 30 (see reference) Figure 6When a printing instruction is received from the information terminal 20, the printing driver of the sending source is determined. If the printing data PD received by the printing device 30 is sent from a first printing driver that serves as a business driver, the determination unit 68 determines that the instructed printing is for business purposes. On the other hand, if the printing data PD is sent from a second printing driver that serves as a general-purpose driver, the determination unit 68 determines that the instructed printing is for personal purposes. Specifically, this determination is performed by the first determination unit 63, which constitutes the determination unit 68. Furthermore, when the printing device 30 performs business printing, the control unit 50 copies the printing data PD to the company server 11.

[0110] Second Embodiment

[0111] exist Figure 10 In the second embodiment shown, when a printing instruction is received from the information terminal 20, the first determination unit 63 determines whether the corresponding home office worker is in a business period (during business hours). The first determination unit 63 accesses the attendance system 13 of the company server 11 and determines whether it is a business period or a non-business period based on the attendance information of the corresponding home office worker. If it is outside of business hours, the first determination unit 63 determines the printing instruction as a personal printing instruction. Otherwise, if it is during business hours, the first determination unit 63 determines the printing instruction as a business printing instruction. Furthermore, when the printing device 30 performs business printing, the control unit 50 copies the print data PD to the company server 11.

[0112] Third Embodiment

[0113] exist Figure 11 In the third embodiment shown, the person working from home uses a personal first information terminal 20A and a company-provided second information terminal 20B, which is lent or provided by the company, separately in a second location such as their own home. The information terminal 20 that instructs the printing device 30 to print is divided into a first information terminal 20A for printing for personal use and a second information terminal 20B for printing for business use.

[0114] The first determination unit 63 determines whether the instructed printing is for business or personal use based on the unique information received by the printing apparatus 30 from the information terminal 20. The MAC addresses, serving as unique information for the personal first information terminal 20A and the company's second information terminal 20B, are different. When a printing instruction is received from either information terminal 20A or 20B, the first determination unit 63 determines the MAC address. If the MAC address is a non-registered address, the first determination unit 63 determines that the printing instruction is for personal use. The printing apparatus 30 performs personal printing on the medium M. Conversely, if the MAC address is a registered address, the first determination unit 63 determines that the printing instruction is for business use. The printing apparatus 30 performs business printing on the medium M. Furthermore, when the printing apparatus 30 performs business printing, the control unit 50 copies the printing data PD to the company server 11.

[0115] The information terminal 20 used separately by the work-from-home employee can be a personal computer or other information terminal 20A or 20B, but it can also be a portable information terminal 56A or 56B such as a smartphone, either as a basis for or as a replacement for at least one of them. When a printing instruction is received from a personal portable information terminal 56A or a company-owned portable information terminal 56B, the first determination unit 63 determines whether the printing is for personal or business purposes based on the MAC address determination result. Furthermore, the unique information is not limited to a MAC address; any information that can uniquely identify the employee is acceptable. For example, it could be a product identification number or the work-from-home employee's ID.

[0116] Fourth embodiment

[0117] exist Figure 12 In the fourth embodiment shown, when a person working from home uses the printing device 30 for business purposes, they connect a USB memory 57 brought from the office to the printing device 30. This USB memory 57 stores a code that allows printing for business purposes. When a printing instruction is given from the information terminal 20 without the USB memory 57 connected to the printing device 30, the first determination unit 63 cannot read the code and therefore determines the printing instruction as a personal printing instruction. The printing device 30 performs personal printing on the medium M. On the other hand, when printing for business purposes, the person working from home connects the USB memory 57 to the printing device 30 and then gives a printing instruction from the information terminal 20. When a printing instruction is received from the information terminal 20, since the code read from the USB memory 57 allows printing for business purposes, the first determination unit 63 determines the printing instruction as a business printing instruction. The printing device 30 performs business printing on the medium M. Furthermore, when the printing device 30 performs business printing, the control unit 50 copies the print data PD to the company server 11.

[0118] In the first to fourth embodiments described above, when the first determination unit 63 determines that it is an instruction for business-purpose printing, the second determination unit 64 determines whether there is maintenance that satisfies the set conditions relative to the business-purpose printing. If there is maintenance that satisfies the set conditions relative to the business-purpose printing, the second determination unit 64 sets the maintenance as business-related maintenance.

[0119] The role of the implementation method

[0120] Next, refer to Figure 13 The function of the printing system 10 in this embodiment will be explained.

[0121] exist Figure 13 In the example shown, a work-from-home worker issues printing instructions to a printing device 30 from an information terminal 20, and printing is performed on media M. The work-from-home worker uses their own printing device 30 for both business and personal printing. For example, the work-from-home worker sometimes performs business printing during business hours. Additionally, the work-from-home worker sometimes instructs for manual cleaning when it is deemed necessary. Furthermore, in Figure 13 In the example shown, examples indicating printing for private use are omitted. However, in printing for private use, the company does not bear the costs, but the printing operation of the printing device 30 itself and the accompanying maintenance operations are the same as in printing for business use.

[0122] The following explains the scenarios of manual cleaning being business-related cleaning, automatic cleaning being business-related cleaning, and printing for business purposes.

[0123] The person working from home instructs manual cleaning via information terminal 20 (step S31). Additionally, the person working from home instructs printing for business purposes via information terminal 20 (step S32). Furthermore, manual cleaning can also be instructed via the input section 34 of the printing device 30.

[0124] In step S11, the control unit 50 determines whether it has received a manual cleaning instruction. If a manual cleaning instruction is received, the process proceeds to step S12; otherwise, it proceeds to step S14.

[0125] In step S12, the control unit 50 performs manual cleaning. For example... Figure 4As shown, the control unit 50 moves the carriage 38 to a maintenance position (e.g., the original position HP) and raises the cover 46 to contact the nozzle surface 39A, thereby forming a closed space communicating with the nozzle N between the nozzle surface 39A and the cover 46. Furthermore, in this state, the control unit 50, for example, drives the pump 49 to depressurize the closed space communicating with the nozzle N, thereby forcibly discharging printing ink (e.g., ink) from the nozzle N. Additionally, if the pump 49 is a pressure pump, the printing ink (e.g., ink) in the printing ink collection section 42 can also be pressurized by driving the pressure pump, thereby performing pressurized cleaning to forcibly discharge the printing ink from the nozzle N.

[0126] In step S13, the control unit 50 stores information about the cleaning execution time, execution content, and ink waste amount in the storage unit 67. The execution time uses the timestamp from the timestamp unit 66. As for the execution content, the control unit 50 stores information such as cleaning CL1, CL2, etc., which determine the type of cleaning corresponding to the cleaning intensity. In addition, as for the ink waste amount, the control unit 50 stores the value obtained by using the ink consumption measurement function of the estimation unit 65, based on, for example, the cleaning execution content (e.g., type) and referring to the maintenance table.

[0127] In step S32, the person working from home instructs the information terminal 20 to print for business purposes. The printing control unit 23 of the information terminal 20 instructs the printing device 30 to print for business purposes. At this time, the person working from home... Figures 9 to 12 Instructions for printing for business purposes are given by at least one of the methods in the first to fourth embodiments shown.

[0128] In step S14, the control unit 50 determines whether a printing instruction has been received. If no printing instruction is received, the process returns to step S11; if a printing instruction is received, the process proceeds to step S15.

[0129] In step S15, the control unit 50 determines whether the printing is for business purposes. Specifically, through... Figures 9 to 12 The method shown in the first to fourth embodiments determines whether the printing is for business purposes or personal purposes. If it is for business purposes, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S16; if it is not for business purposes, that is, if it is for personal purposes, it proceeds to step S18.

[0130] In step S16, the control unit 50 determines whether cleaning occurred shortly before the set time. If cleaning occurred shortly before the set time, the process proceeds to step S17; otherwise, it proceeds to step S18. The set time is, for example, a predetermined value within the range of 1 to 10 minutes. The control unit 50 uses the timestamp information related to the implementation time stored in the storage unit 67 in step S13 to determine whether cleaning occurred shortly before the set time compared to the time the printing instruction was received. At this time, the cleaning in question is manual cleaning. In other words, through this determination process, the control unit 50 determines whether there is manual cleaning that matches the cleaning associated with the business-related printing accompanying this instruction. Manual cleaning that does not meet this condition is not considered business-related cleaning.

[0131] In step S17, the control unit 50 is set to business-related cleaning. That is, if manual cleaning was performed shortly before the time the printing instruction was received, within a set time, the manual cleaning is set to cleaning of printing ink discarded during business printing, i.e., business-related cleaning.

[0132] In step S18, the control unit 50 performs a nozzle inspection on the printing unit 37. That is, the control unit 50 detects whether the nozzles are defective by having the inspection unit 55 inspect the nozzles N of the printing unit 37.

[0133] In step S19, the control unit 50 determines whether the nozzle is faulty. If the nozzle is faulty, the process proceeds to step S20; if the nozzle is not faulty, the process proceeds to step S22. Alternatively, a nozzle may be deemed faulty if any one of the nozzles N in the print head 39 fails to eject, or if a number of nozzles N fails to eject more than a preset threshold number.

[0134] In step S20, the control unit 50 performs automatic cleaning. That is, the control unit 50 performs the same cleaning as in step S12. Specifically, as follows... Figure 4 As shown, the control unit 50 moves the carriage 38 to the maintenance position and raises the cover 46 to contact the nozzle surface 39A, thereby forming a closed space communicating with the nozzle N between the nozzle surface 39A and the cover 46. Furthermore, in this state, the control unit 50, for example, drives the pump 49 to depressurize the closed space communicating with the nozzle N, thereby forcibly discharging printing ink (e.g., ink) from the nozzle N. Alternatively, cleaning can be performed under pressure.

[0135] In step S21, the control unit 50 stores information about the implementation details of the business-related cleaning and the amount of printing waste in the storage unit 67. As the implementation details, the control unit 50 stores, for example, information about cleaning types such as CL1 and CL2, which determine different cleaning intensities. Additionally, as the amount of printing waste, the control unit 50 stores a value obtained using the printing waste measurement function of the estimation unit 65, based on, for example, the cleaning implementation details (types) and a maintenance table.

[0136] In step S22, the control unit 50 performs business-purpose printing. That is, the control unit 50 executes the printing instructed for business-purpose printing using at least one of the methods in the first to fourth embodiments. The printing operation for business-purpose printing is the same as for personal-purpose printing, where ink, as an example of printing agent, is ejected from the printing unit 37 onto the medium M conveyed by the transport unit 40, thereby printing text or images based on print data PD on the medium M. During printing, rinsing (dry spraying) of printing agent ejected from the nozzle N of the printing unit 37 is performed periodically or irregularly. In the case of business-purpose printing, the control unit 50 determines rinsing as business-related maintenance. Therefore, the estimation unit 65 estimates the amount of waste printing agent consumed during rinsing based on the number of ejections, or estimates it by referring to a maintenance table, and stores it in the storage unit 67. Thus, in this embodiment, the amount of printing agent consumed (waste amount) during rinsing during business-purpose printing is also regarded as the amount of printing agent consumed in business-related maintenance.

[0137] In step S23, the control unit 50 sends information about the number of prints for business purposes and the amount of waste printing ink to the company server 11. The information about the number of prints for business purposes (prints for business use) and the amount of waste printing ink is sent to the company server 11 via the information terminal 20 through the network NW. In this embodiment, the information about the amount of waste printing ink for business purposes includes the amount of waste printing ink discarded during washing. Furthermore, the information about the number of prints for business purposes and the information about the amount of waste printing ink for business purposes can be sent to the company server 11 simultaneously, or they can be sent separately to the company server 11. In the latter case, the sending time for sending the information about the number of prints for business purposes to the company server 11 and the sending time for sending the information about the amount of waste printing ink for business purposes to the company server 11 can be set separately.

[0138] In step S41, the company server 11 determines whether it has received the information. If the information is received, it proceeds to step S42; otherwise, it proceeds to step S43.

[0139] In step S42, the company server 11 calculates the payment amount based on the information and adds them together. That is, the calculation unit 14 of the company server 11 calculates the payment amount based on the information and adds the calculated payment amount to the cumulative payment amount previously stored in the memory. In addition, the calculation unit 14 can also separately calculate the first payment amount related to the number of sheets printed for business purposes and the second payment amount related to business-related maintenance, and manage the cumulative amount separately.

[0140] In step S43, the company server 11 determines whether it is a payment period. If it is a payment period, the process proceeds to step S44; otherwise, it proceeds to step S41. Furthermore, the payment period can be, for example, the period for salary payments, or a predetermined period such as monthly, every few months, or annually. For instance, the payment periods for the first payment amount related to the number of printed sheets and the second payment amount related to business relationship maintenance can also be different.

[0141] In step S44, company server 11 processes the payment. In this example, company server 11 processes the payment of the current cumulative payment amount to employees who are working from home. The current cumulative payment amount can also be processed separately for the cumulative amount of the first payment and the cumulative amount of the second payment. Alternatively, an accounting system (not shown) outside of company server 11 can process the payment based on the cumulative payment amount information from company server 11.

[0142] Since the printing equipment 30 is located in a secondary location such as one's own home, home office workers sometimes use it for private printing purposes. In this case, through... Figures 9 to 12 The method in at least one of the first to fourth embodiments shown indicates printing for private use. Therefore, in Figure 13 In step S15, the control unit 50 determines that the printing is for private use. As a result, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S18. That is, the cleaning will not be set as business-related cleaning.

[0143] In the case of private-use printing, the processes of nozzle inspection (step S18), nozzle defect determination (step S19), and automatic cleaning (step S20) are performed in the same way as in commercial-use printing. However, since it is not commercial-related cleaning, step S21 is omitted, and in step S22, private-use printing is performed instead of commercial-use printing. In addition, in the case of private-use printing, the number of sheets printed and the amount of printing ink consumed for maintenance are not subject to payment, so step S23 is not performed.

[0144] The effects of this embodiment will be explained below.

[0145] (1) The printing system 10 includes a company server 11 and a printing device 30. The company server 11 is located at a first location, and the printing device 30 is located at a second location. It is used for both business and personal printing. The printing device 30 includes a printing section 37 and a waste material recycling section 47. The printing section 37 uses printing ink to print on a medium. The waste material recycling section 47 recycles the printing ink consumed by the printing section 37 that was not used for printing on the medium and was discarded as waste. The printing system 10 includes a judgment section 68 and a estimation section 65. The judgment section 68 determines whether the discarded printing ink was used for business or personal printing. The estimation section 65 estimates the amount of printing ink discarded for business printing as determined by the judgment section 68. Based on this configuration, home office workers may sometimes use their own printing device 30 for business printing. Business owners, such as companies, can pay the workers a fee corresponding to the amount of printing ink discarded for business printing as at least a portion of the cost of business printing.

[0146] (2) The printing apparatus 30 includes a maintenance unit 45 for maintaining the printing section 37. The amount of waste printing ink is the amount of printing ink wasted from the printing section 37 during maintenance. The determination unit 68 determines whether the maintenance is business-related maintenance to suppress printing defects for commercial printing or private-related maintenance to suppress printing defects for personal printing. The estimation unit 65 estimates the amount of waste printing ink discarded during business-related maintenance. Based on this configuration, the amount of waste printing ink consumed (discarded) from the printing section 37 during business-related maintenance can be estimated. For example, the cost corresponding to the amount of printing ink consumed during business-related maintenance can be calculated. For example, the maintenance cost can be borne by the company or other entities that are the owners of the printing apparatus 30.

[0147] (3) Maintenance is the cleaning of the printing section 37. According to this configuration, the cost of printing agents consumed in the cleaning associated with business printing, i.e., business-related cleaning, can be paid to those working from home.

[0148] (4) The determination unit 68 includes a first determination unit 63 and a second determination unit 64. The first determination unit 63 determines whether the indicated printing is for business purposes or for personal purposes, and the second determination unit 64 determines that cleaning that satisfies set conditions relative to business purposes printing is business-related cleaning accompanying business purposes printing. According to this configuration, maintenance that satisfies set conditions relative to business purposes printing can be determined as business-related maintenance.

[0149] (5) The printing apparatus 30 includes a control unit 50 that controls the maintenance unit 45 and an inspection unit 55 that inspects the printing unit 37. When a printing instruction is received, the control unit 50 causes the inspection unit 55 to inspect the printing unit 37 before printing begins. Furthermore, if the inspection result may cause printing defects, the control unit 50 causes the maintenance unit 45 to automatically clean the printing unit 37. If the instructed printing is for commercial purposes, the determination unit 68 determines that the automatic cleaning is a commercially related cleaning accompanying commercial printing. According to this configuration, the cost of printing ink consumed during automatic cleaning can be covered.

[0150] (6) The printing system 10 also includes an information terminal 20 that instructs the printing apparatus 30 to print. The information terminal 20, acting as a printing driver that outputs printing data to the printing apparatus 30, has a first printing driver specifically for business use and a second printing driver for general use. A determination unit 68 is provided in the printing apparatus 30. If the source of the printing data received by the printing apparatus 30 is the first printing driver, the determination unit 68 determines that the instructed printing is for business use. On the other hand, if the source of the printing data received by the printing apparatus 30 is the second printing driver, the determination unit 68 determines that the instructed printing is for personal use. With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the printing is for business use or personal use based on whether the printing driver of the source of the printing data received by the printing apparatus 30 is the first or the second printing driver.

[0151] (7) The company server 11 has an attendance system 13 that manages whether the printing is done during or outside of business hours. If the attendance information managed by the attendance system 13 indicates that the printing was instructed during business hours, the determination unit 68 determines that it is printing for business purposes. Based on this configuration, the attendance information managed by the attendance system 13 can be used to determine that printing instructed during business hours is printing for business purposes.

[0152] (8) The printing system 10 includes an information terminal 20 that instructs the printing apparatus 30 to print. The information terminal 20 is used to instruct printing for personal use as a first information terminal 20A and printing for business use as a second information terminal 20B. The determination unit 68 determines whether the instructed printing is for business use or personal use based on the unique information received by the printing apparatus 30 from the information terminal 20. According to this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the instructed printing is for business use based on the unique information received by the printing apparatus 30 from the information terminal 20.

[0153] (9) The printing system 10 also includes a calculation unit 14, which calculates the cost corresponding to the amount of waste printing ink as at least a portion of the cost of printing for business purposes. According to this configuration, business owners such as companies can also pay home-based workers the cost corresponding to the amount of waste printing ink discarded during business printing as at least a portion of the cost of printing for business purposes.

[0154] (10) The calculation unit 14 calculates the printing cost corresponding to the number of sheets printed for business purposes and the printing agent cost corresponding to the amount of waste printing agent. According to this configuration, in addition to the cost corresponding to the number of sheets printed, the cost related to printing for business purposes can also include the printing agent cost corresponding to the amount of waste printing agent.

[0155] (11) The waste disposal unit 47 has a replaceable waste disposal unit 48 for storing the disposed waste. The cost calculated by the calculation unit 14 includes a portion of the cost of replacing the waste disposal unit 48 with a new one when it is full of waste, corresponding to the amount of waste disposed of during business printing. Based on this configuration, the cost of replacing the waste disposal unit 48, including a portion of the amount of waste disposed of during business printing, can also be paid to those working from home, etc.

[0156] (12) The first location is the company, and the second location is the home of the employee who owns the printing equipment 30. According to this configuration, when an employee who conducts business from home or works from home uses his / her personal printing equipment 30 for business printing, the employee can be paid a fee corresponding to the amount of printing ink wasted during business printing.

[0157] (13) The printing apparatus 30 is used for both business and personal printing. The printing apparatus 30 includes a printing unit 37, a waste ink recovery unit 47, a judgment unit 68, and a estimation unit 65. The printing unit 37 uses printing ink supplied from a printing ink storage unit to print on a medium. The waste ink recovery unit 47 recovers the printing ink consumed by the printing unit 37 that was not used for printing on the medium and was discarded as waste ink. The judgment unit 68 determines whether the discarded printing ink was used for business or personal printing. The estimation unit 65 estimates the amount of printing ink discarded for business printing as determined by the judgment unit 68. According to this configuration, when a person working from home uses the printing apparatus 30 for business printing, the company or other business owner can pay the person working from home at least a portion of the cost of the business printing as part of the cost of the business printing, in the case of business printing.

[0158] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can also be modified as shown in the following variations. Moreover, a further variation can be a suitable combination of the above-described embodiments and the variations shown below, and a further variation can be a suitable combination of the variations shown below.

[0159] The estimation unit 65 can also estimate the amount of printing ink wasted during business printing based on the number of business printed materials printed by the printing apparatus 30. When the determination unit 68 (specifically, the first determination unit 63) determines that the printing is for business purposes, the estimation unit 65 estimates the amount of printing ink consumed in business-related maintenance based on the number of printed sheets. There is a tendency that the more sheets printed, the more printing ink is consumed in cleaning and rinsing maintenance. The control unit 50, for example, stores a reference table in the storage unit 67 showing the correspondence between the number of printed sheets and the amount of printing ink wasted. The estimation unit 65 obtains the amount of printing ink wasted during business-related maintenance based on the number of printed sheets for business purposes and by referring to the reference table. With this configuration, since the amount of printing ink wasted is estimated based on the number of business printed materials, an appropriate amount of printing ink waste corresponding to the number of business printed materials can be obtained. For example, it is possible to pay home office workers a fee corresponding to the amount of printing ink wasted during business printing that was not used for printing on media.

[0160] In the described embodiment, the printing apparatus 30 can also send all information related to printing and maintenance, including the implementation time and content, directly or via the information terminal 20 to the company server 11. Furthermore, the company server 11 can obtain the number of sheets printed for business purposes and the amount of waste printing ink in business-related maintenance based on the information received from the printing apparatus 30 or the information terminal 20. In this configuration, the company server 11 includes a determination unit 68 (a first determination unit 63 and a second determination unit 64) and a prediction unit 65.

[0161] In the described embodiment, the printing apparatus 30 can also send all information related to printing and maintenance, including the implementation time and content, to the information terminal 20. Furthermore, the information terminal 20 can obtain the number of sheets printed for business purposes and the amount of waste printing ink in business-related maintenance based on the information received from the printing apparatus 30. The information terminal 20 sends the number of sheets printed for business purposes and the amount of waste printing ink in business-related maintenance to the company server 11. In this configuration, the information terminal 20 includes a determination unit 68 (a first determination unit 63 and a second determination unit 64) and a prediction unit 65.

[0162] In the described embodiment, the first determination unit 63 and the second determination unit 64 may be respectively provided in two devices constituting the printing system 10. For example, the printing device 30 may have the first determination unit 63 and the company server 11 may have the second determination unit 64. Conversely, the company server 11 may have the first determination unit 63 and the printing device 30 may have the second determination unit 64. Alternatively, for example, the printing device 30 may have the first determination unit 63 and the information terminal 20 may have the second determination unit 64. Conversely, the information terminal 20 may have the first determination unit 63 and the printing device 30 may have the second determination unit 64. Furthermore, for example, the information terminal 20 may have the first determination unit 63 and the company server 11 may have the second determination unit 64. Conversely, the company server 11 may have the first determination unit 63 and the information terminal 20 may have the second determination unit 64.

[0163] In the printing apparatus 30 that performs timed cleaning, a portion of the printing agent consumed during timed cleaning related to business printing can be added to the printing agent consumed for business maintenance. Furthermore, timed cleaning refers to cleaning performed when a set time has elapsed since the last cleaning. If the printing apparatus 30 is powered off when the set time has elapsed, cleaning is then performed when the power is initially turned on. For example, the ratio of the number of business prints to the total number of prints during the set time period can be multiplied by the printing agent consumed during the timed cleaning as the printing agent consumed for business maintenance.

[0164] In the printing apparatus 30 that performs sheet count cleaning, a portion of the printing agent consumed during sheet count cleaning (waste) related to business printing can be added to the printing agent consumed in business maintenance. Furthermore, sheet count cleaning refers to cleaning performed when the number of printed sheets counted from the previous cleaning time point reaches a set number. For example, the value obtained by multiplying the ratio of the number of printed sheets for business printing to the set number by the printing agent consumed in sheet count cleaning can be used as the printing agent consumption in business maintenance.

[0165] The printing agent can also be a toner, for example. That is, the printing apparatus 30 is not limited to an inkjet printer, but can also be a laser printer. In such a printing apparatus 30 that is a laser printer, the waste toner recovery unit 47 recovers the waste toner that was not printed on the medium M and was discarded from the toner supplied to the laser-type printing unit 37, and the recovered waste toner is stored in the waste toner storage unit 48. In this case, the judgment unit 68 of the control unit 50 determines whether the discarded toner is toner consumed for business printing or toner consumed for personal printing. Moreover, the control unit 50 can also send the amount of waste toner discarded with business printing, i.e., waste toner, to the company server 11. Alternatively, the control unit 50 can also send printing agent waste information that can determine the amount of waste toner, and the company server 11 determines the amount of waste toner associated with business based on the printing agent waste information.

[0166] • Control unit 50 sends the amount of waste printing ink and other printing agents consumed for business printing to company server 11, but it can also send printing agent waste information that can determine the amount of waste printing agents to company server 11 instead. Printing agent waste information could also include, for example, information such as the content of maintenance (e.g., maintenance intensity) or the number of maintenance cycles.

[0167] • In the embodiment described above, printing for business purposes is evaluated by the number of sheets printed, and the amount of printing agent consumed during maintenance is evaluated by the volume or weight of the printing agent, but both may also be evaluated using the same unit.

[0168] • Alternatively, the quantity of printing for business purposes can be evaluated based on the amount of printing agent consumed in business printing, rather than the number of sheets printed. In this case, the amount of printing agent consumed per sheet of business printing can be calculated, and then multiplied by the amount of printing agent consumed per sheet to determine the amount of printing agent consumed in business printing.

[0169] • The amount of printing ink consumed in business-related maintenance may or may not include the amount consumed for rinsing (air spraying).

[0170] • The medium M is not limited to paper, but can also be a film or sheet made of synthetic resin, cloth, non-woven fabric, composite film (laminate) of synthetic resin and metal, metal foil, ceramic sheet, etc.

[0171] • The printing device 30 is not limited to a serial printer; it can also be a line printer or a page printer.

[0172] The following describes the technical ideas and effects learned from the above-described embodiments and modifications.

[0173] (A) A printing system comprising a server and a printing apparatus, the server being located at a first location and the printing apparatus being located at a second location and used for both business and personal printing, wherein the printing apparatus comprises: a printing unit for printing on a medium using printing ink; and a waste ink recovery unit for recovering waste printing ink consumed by the printing unit that was not used for printing on the medium, the printing system comprising: a determination unit for determining which type of printing ink, business or personal, was discarded as waste printing ink; and a estimation unit for estimating the amount of waste printing ink determined by the determination unit to be discarded as business printing ink.

[0174] According to this arrangement, home office workers sometimes use their own printing equipment for business printing. Business owners, such as companies, can pay the workers at least a portion of the cost of printing work for business purposes, corresponding to the amount of waste ink produced during business printing.

[0175] (B) In the above-described printing system, the printing apparatus may also include a maintenance unit for maintaining the printing unit, wherein the amount of waste printing ink is the amount of waste printing ink from the printing unit through maintenance, the determination unit determines whether the maintenance is business-related maintenance for suppressing printing defects in business-purpose printing or private-related maintenance for suppressing printing defects in private-purpose printing, and the estimation unit estimates the amount of waste printing ink discarded in the business-related maintenance.

[0176] Based on this structure, the amount of printing ink consumed (wasted) from the printing department during operational maintenance can be estimated. For example, the cost corresponding to the amount of printing ink consumed during operational maintenance can be calculated. For example, the maintenance cost can be borne by the company or other entities relative to the operator, who is the owner of the printing equipment.

[0177] (C) In the above printing system, the estimation unit may also estimate the amount of printing agent that is discarded during business printing based on the number of business printed materials printed by the printing device.

[0178] Based on this structure, since the amount of waste printing ink is estimated based on the number of sheets of business printed materials, an appropriate amount of waste printing ink corresponding to the number of sheets of business printed materials can be obtained. For example, it is possible to pay home office workers a fee corresponding to the amount of waste printing ink discarded during business printing that was not used for printing on media.

[0179] (D) In ​​the above printing system, the maintenance may also be the cleaning of the printing section.

[0180] According to this structure, payment can be made to those working from home for the cost of printing agents consumed in cleaning services related to business printing, i.e., business-related cleaning.

[0181] (E) In the above printing system, the determination unit may also include: a first determination unit that determines whether the indicated printing is for business purposes or for personal purposes; and a second determination unit that determines the cleaning that satisfies a set condition relative to the printing for business purposes as business-related cleaning accompanying the printing for business purposes.

[0182] Based on this structure, maintenance that satisfies set conditions relative to printing for business purposes can be defined as business-related maintenance.

[0183] (F) In the above-described printing system, the printing apparatus may also include: a control unit that controls the maintenance unit; and an inspection unit that inspects the printing unit. In the control unit, when a printing instruction is received, the inspection unit inspects the printing unit before printing begins. If the inspection result is one that may cause printing defects, the maintenance unit automatically cleans the printing unit. If the indicated printing is for business purposes, the determination unit determines that the automatic cleaning is a business-related cleaning associated with the business-purpose printing.

[0184] Based on this structure, the cost of the printing ink consumed in the automatic cleaning process can be covered.

[0185] (G) In the above-described printing system, it may also include: an information terminal that instructs the printing device to print, the information terminal having a business-specific first printing driver and a general-purpose second printing driver as printing drivers that output printing data to the printing device, the determination unit being provided in the printing device, if the source of the printing data received by the printing device is the first printing driver, then it is determined that the instructed printing is for business purposes, and if it is the second printing driver, then it is determined that the instructed printing is for private purposes.

[0186] Based on this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the printing is for business or private purposes by whether the printing driver of the source of the printing data received by the printing device is a first printing driver or a second printing driver.

[0187] (H) In the above printing system, the server may also have an attendance system that manages whether the printing is within or outside of business hours. If the attendance information managed by the attendance system indicates that the printing was instructed within the business hours, the judgment unit determines that the printing is for business purposes.

[0188] Based on this structure, the attendance information managed by the attendance system can be used to determine whether the printing indicated during the business hours is for business purposes.

[0189] (I) In the above-mentioned printing system, it may also be: equipped with an information terminal that instructs the printing device to print, the information terminal being used as a first information terminal for instructing printing for private purposes and a second information terminal for instructing printing for business purposes, and the determination unit determining whether the instructing printing is printing for business purposes or printing for private purposes based on the unique information received by the printing device from the information terminal.

[0190] Based on this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the indicated printing is for business purposes based on the unique information received by the printing device from the information terminal.

[0191] (J) In the above-described printing system, a calculation unit may also be provided, which calculates the cost corresponding to the amount of waste of the printing agent as at least a portion of the cost involved in printing for business purposes.

[0192] According to this structure, business owners such as companies can also pay home-based workers at least a portion of the cost of printing work that is discarded in connection with business printing as part of the cost of business printing.

[0193] (K) In the above printing system, the calculation unit may also calculate the printing cost corresponding to the number of prints to be printed for the business purpose and the printing agent cost corresponding to the amount of waste of the printing agent.

[0194] According to this structure, the costs involved in printing for business purposes, in addition to the cost corresponding to the number of sheets printed, may also include printing agent costs corresponding to the amount of waste printing agent.

[0195] (L) In the above printing system, the waste agent recycling unit may also have a replaceable waste agent storage unit for storing the recycled waste agent, and the cost calculated by the calculation unit includes a portion of the cost of replacing the waste agent storage unit when it is full with a new waste agent storage unit, corresponding to the amount of waste agent discarded during business printing.

[0196] According to this structure, it is also possible to pay for a portion of the cost of replacing the waste disposal unit, including the amount of waste disposal involved in the business, to those working from home.

[0197] (M) In the above-described printing system, the first location may be a company, and the second location may be the home of an employee who owns the printing equipment. According to this configuration, when an employee, such as a home office worker, uses their personal printing equipment for business printing, a fee can be paid to the employee corresponding to the amount of printing ink wasted during the business printing.

[0198] (N) A printing apparatus for both commercial and personal use printing, comprising: a printing unit for printing on a medium using printing ink supplied from a printing ink storage unit; a waste ink recovery unit for recovering waste printing ink consumed by the printing unit that was not used for printing on the medium; a determination unit for determining which type of printing ink, commercial or personal, was discarded as waste printing ink; and an estimation unit for estimating the amount of waste printing ink determined by the determination unit to be discarded as commercial printing ink.

[0199] According to this arrangement, when a person working from home uses printing equipment for business printing, the company or other business owner can pay the person working from home at least a portion of the cost of the business printing as part of the cost of the waste of printing ink that is discarded along with the business printing.

Claims

1. A printing system, characterized in that, have: The server is located at the primary location; and A printing facility, located at a second site, for use in both commercial and private printing purposes. The printing apparatus includes: The printing department uses printing agents to print on media; and The waste ink recovery unit recovers the printing ink consumed by the printing unit that was not used for printing on the medium and was discarded as waste ink. The printing system includes: The determination unit determines whether the printing agent that becomes the waste agent is the printing agent discarded during commercial printing or private printing; and The estimation unit estimates the amount of printing ink that will be discarded for business printing, as determined by the judgment unit.

2. The printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The printing apparatus includes a maintenance unit for maintaining the printing section. The amount of waste printing ink is determined by maintaining the amount of waste printing ink discharged from the printing section. The determination unit determines whether the maintenance is business-related maintenance to suppress printing defects in business-purpose printing or private-related maintenance to suppress printing defects in private-purpose printing. The estimation unit estimates the amount of waste printing agent discarded during the business association maintenance.

3. The printing system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The estimation unit estimates the amount of printing agent that will be discarded during business printing based on the number of business prints printed by the printing apparatus.

4. The printing system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The maintenance refers to cleaning the printing section or rinsing to prevent poor ejection during printing.

5. The printing system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The judgment unit includes: The first judgment department determines whether the instructed printing is for business purposes or for private purposes. as well as The second determination unit determines the cleaning that satisfies set conditions relative to the printing for the business purpose as business-related cleaning accompanying the printing for the business purpose.

6. The printing system according to any one of claims 2, 4, and 5, characterized in that, The printing apparatus includes: The control unit controls the maintenance unit; and The inspection department inspects the printing department. In the control unit, when a printing instruction is received, the inspection unit checks the printing unit before printing begins. If the inspection result is one that may cause printing defects, the maintenance unit automatically cleans the printing unit. If the indicated printing is for business purposes, the determination unit will determine that the automatic cleaning is business-related cleaning that accompanies the business-purpose printing.

7. The printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The printing system also includes an information terminal that instructs the printing device to print. The information terminal has a business-specific first printing driver and a general-purpose second printing driver as printing drivers for outputting printing data to the printing device. The determination unit is disposed in the printing device. If the source of the printing data received by the printing device is the first printing driver, the determination unit determines that the indicated printing is for business purposes. If the source of the printing data received by the printing device is the second printing driver, the determination unit determines that the indicated printing is for personal purposes.

8. The printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The server is equipped with an attendance system that manages whether the attendance occurs during or outside of business hours. If the attendance information managed by the attendance system indicates that the printing was instructed during the business hours, the judgment unit determines that it is printing for business purposes.

9. The printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The printing system includes an information terminal that instructs the printing apparatus to print. The information terminals are divided into a first information terminal for instructing printing for private use and a second information terminal for instructing printing for business use. The determination unit determines whether the indicated printing is for business purposes or for personal purposes based on the unique information received by the printing device from the information terminal.

10. The printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The printing system also includes a calculation unit that calculates the cost corresponding to the amount of waste of the printing agent as at least a portion of the cost involved in printing for business purposes.

11. The printing system according to claim 10, characterized in that, The calculation unit calculates the printing cost corresponding to the number of prints for the business purpose and the printing agent cost corresponding to the amount of waste of the printing agent.

12. The printing system according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The waste agent recycling unit has a replaceable waste agent storage unit for storing the recycled waste agent. The cost calculated by the calculation unit includes a portion of the cost of replacing the waste collection unit when it is full with a new one, corresponding to the amount of waste waste discarded during printing for business purposes.

13. The printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first location is the company, and the second location is the home of the employee who owns the printing equipment.

14. A printing apparatus, characterized in that, Suitable for both business and personal printing, and possesses: The printing section uses printing ink supplied from the printing ink storage section to print on a medium; The waste agent recycling unit recycles the printing agent consumed by the printing unit that was not used for printing on the medium and was discarded as waste agent; The determination unit determines whether the printing agent that becomes the waste agent is the printing agent that was discarded during commercial printing or private printing. as well as The estimation unit estimates the amount of printing ink that will be discarded for business printing, as determined by the judgment unit.

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